Police have quelled a major disturbance at Darwin's notorious Don Dale Youth Detention Centre after inmates set fire to parts of the facility.

At least 15 police cars, including tactical response vehicles, as well as firefighters and ambulances, rushed to the centre about 6.45pm yesterday amid reports of a disturbance.

About three hours later flames and thick smoke could be seen billowing from the facility.

A huge fire broke out as police struggled to contain rioting inmates. (9news)Police could be heard over a loudspeaker urging inmates to put down their weapons and surrender or face serious consequences. (9news)

Just after midnight, about 12 detainees were spotted being taken from the centre in police vehicles after police handed the facility back to the government department overseeing the centre.

It's believed the disturbance began after an inmate took keys from a staff member and began opening cell doors.

Some inmates were able to access power tools and began cutting through a fence.

A building at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in Darwin caught alight shortly before 10pm. (Nine)

One staff member is believed to have been injured. NT Police have been contacted for comment.

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Earlier this year, the NT government accepted calls to close the centre after a royal commission uncovered disturbing evidence of abuse.

The final report of the $54 million inquiry released last November made 227 recommendations, all of which the government said it would adopt.

Footage of teenagers being tear-gassed, spit-hooded and shackled to restraint chairs in youth prisons sparked the probe and prompted Labor to inject millions of dollars to overhaul the broken system.

A file photograph of the Don Dale detention centre, where police are responding to a 'major incident'. (AAP)

The centre received national attention in 2016 when the ABC aired footage of the abuse of youths, including Aboriginal teen Dylan Voller in a restraint chair wearing a spit hood, prompting the royal commission into juvenile detention in the NT.

Don Dale has continued to be the subject of negative publicity this year, with four boys accused of starting fires at the centre in July and injuries to prison guards in May.

The NT government has committed $70 million for two new detention centres in Darwin and Alice Springs as part of $229.6 million to be spent over the next five years to overhaul the child protection and youth justice systems, and implement the recommendations of the royal commission.